More excellence recognised at the 2025 CILT Awards
The December issue of Logistics & Transport NZ highlighted the 2025 CILT Annual Forum and Awards Dinner, which brought together leaders from across New Zealand’s transport and logistics sector. This follow-up recognises several additional award winners whose work reflects the importance of research and practical safety leadership in strengthening the industry.
Academic research continues to make an important contribution to the sector. This year’s Applied Industry Research Excellence Award was presented to Dr Lahiru Gunasekara and Anh Tuam Pham for work that strengthens the evidence base supporting industry decision-making.
Anh Tuam Pham, winner of the Applied Industry Research Excellence Award
Dr Lahiru Gunasekara, winner of the Applied Industry Research Excellence Award
Joseph Young received the NZTA Award for Outstanding Research Achievement for a Masters’ Dissertation or Thesis.
Joseph Young, winner of the NZTA Award for Outstanding Research Achievement for a Masters’ Dissertation or Thesis
Research of this kind helps the sector address some of its most pressing challenges, including decarbonisation, productivity pressures, and changing supply chain dynamics. It also reinforces the value of strong links between academic insight and industry practice.
Port of Auckland won the Napier Port Safety Made Simple Award
The Napier Port Safety Made Simple Award was presented to Port of Auckland for its Leadership PPE framework, an initiative aimed at strengthening frontline safety leadership in the port environment.
Ports are complex, high-risk workplaces where operational demands are constant and conditions can change quickly. Recognising this, Port of Auckland set out to simplify how safety leadership is understood and applied across its operations.
The Leadership PPE framework (standing for People, Performance and Environment) was developed collaboratively with staff across the organisation. The goal was simple: create an approach that reflects the realities of day-to-day port operations.
Rather than relying on theory-heavy training or lengthy presentations, the framework focuses on practical principles that help frontline leaders make sound safety decisions in real time.
To support the framework, the port introduced the ‘Ngā Ringa Haumaru – In Safe Hands’ programme. The three-day course provides leaders with hands-on opportunities to develop and practise safety leadership skills suited to the fast-moving conditions typical of port operations.
Following strong initial feedback, the programme is now being rolled out more widely across the organisation.
These awards reflect the depth of capability across New Zealand’s transport and logistics sector. From research excellence to practical safety leadership, the winners demonstrate how new thinking and professional commitment continue to strengthen the industry.